The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2020
FAO has launched The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2020 (SOCO 2020). The report aims to discuss policies and mechanisms that promote sustainable outcomes – economic, social and environmental – in agricultural and food markets, both global and domestic.
The analysis is organized along the trends and challenges that lie at the heart of global discussions on trade and development. These include the evolution of trade and markets; the emergence of global value chains in food and agriculture; the extent to which smallholder farmers in developing countries participate in value chains and markets; and the transformative impacts of digital technology on markets.
Along these themes, SOCO 2020 discusses policies and institutions that can promote inclusive economic growth and also harness markets to contribute towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
The report also looks at policy responses to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on food value chains, both nationally and globally.
The report is available in all six UN languages and can be downloaded here.
Reports and briefs
Food Outlook – Biannual Report on Global Food Markets
Food markets will face many more months of uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while most markets are braced for a major global economic downturn, the agri-food sector is likely to display more resilience to the crisis than other sectors. Food Outlook is published by the Trade and...
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Summaries of consultations
The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and agricultural development: challenges and prospects
This document summarizes the online discussion The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and agricultural development: challenges and prospects held on the FAO Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa (FSN Forum Africa) from 5 May to 2 June 2020. The discussion was facilitated...
Consultation
Responding to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on food value chains through efficient logistics
The COVID-19 pandemic has developed into the greatest global health, social and financial challenge of the 21st century. It is impacting not only people’s lives, livelihoods and nutrition but also food trade, food supply chains and markets.
With this online consultation we invite you to share examples, best practices and case studies of how the impact of the COVID-19 containment measures on food security and agriculture are being managed in your countries from a trade and logistics point of view.
Consultation
The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and agricultural development: challenges and prospects
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement presents Africa with a unique opportunity to unleash its economic potential for inclusive growth and sustainable development. For it to be conducive to food security and improved nutrition it is widely agreed that AfCFTA will have to be supported with accompanying measures and policies. This online discussion aims at opening an exchange of ideas, good practices and lessons learned on the challenges and prospects to the implementation of the AfCFTA in the agricultural sector.
Reports and briefs
COVID-19 and the risk to food supply chains: How to respond?
As the COVID-19 pandemic turns into a global crisis, countries are taking measures to contain the pandemic. Supermarket shelves remain stocked for now. But a protracted pandemic crisis could quickly put a strain on the food supply chains, which is a complex web of interactions involving farmers...
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Reports and briefs
Small farms, small food businesses and sustainable food and nutrition security - an overview
The important role that small farms play in supporting rural livelihoods, conserving biodiversity and maintaining traditional landscapes, rural traditions and cultural heritage is widely accepted. Nevertheless, they are often under the radar of the agriculture policy mechanisms, which tend to focus...
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Reports and briefs
Can small farms and small food businesses in SALSA’s Southern European countries contribute to sustainable food security?
It is estimated that the total number of small farms in Southern European (SE) countries has decreased by 33% between 2010 and 2019. This loss is despite the widespread acknowledgement and appreciation of the important role that small farms play in supporting rural livelihoods, conserving...
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Reports and briefs
Can small farms and small food businesses in Northern Europe contribute to sustainable food security?
There is widespread acknowledgement and appreciation in Northern Europe of the important role that small farms play in supporting rural livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining traditional landscapes, rural traditions and cultural heritage. The EU-funded SALSA project set out to examine...
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Reports and briefs
Policy Brief Lessons from Africa
The main challenge for African food systems in the future will be to provide food for a rapidly growing population with changing diets and food preferences. Whilst the population of Europe is decreasing, with consumers demanding food that is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible...
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